Cucurbitacin I inhibits cell migration and invasion and enhances chemosensitivity in colon cancer

Oncol Rep. 2015 Apr;33(4):1867-71. doi: 10.3892/or.2015.3749. Epub 2015 Jan 26.

Abstract

Colorectal cancers are the third most common types of cancers worldwide. Surgical resection is unable to eliminate tumors completely due to metastasis. A demand for new chemotherapeutic tools exists. In the present study, we examined the chemopreventive potential of cucurbitacin I, a natural component extracted from plants of the Cucurbitaceae family, in the colon cancer cell line COLO205. We hypothesized that cucurbitacin I would prevent colon cancer cell migration and invasion, and sensitize colon cancer cells to chemotherapy. Our data demonstrated that exposure of the COLO205 cells to cucurbitacin I significantly decreased cell viability. Furthermore our data demonstrated for the first time that in the COLO205 cells, cucurbitacin I could suppress the cell migration and invasion, and harbor chemosensitization activity against colon cancer. The anticancer activity of cucurbitacin I was accomplished by downregulating p-STAT3 and MMP-9 expression. Collectively, our results suggest that cucurbitacin I may be a potent adjuvant chemotherapeutic agent for colon cancer with anti-migration, anti-invasion and chemosensitizing activities.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology*
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Colonic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Depression, Chemical
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Humans
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / biosynthesis
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / genetics
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational / drug effects
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / antagonists & inhibitors
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Triterpenes / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • STAT3 protein, human
  • Triterpenes
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9
  • cucurbitacin I